Published: Apr 01, 2019, 11:22 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 01, 2019, 11:22 AM (IST)
While MS Dhoni, with unbeaten 75 off 46 balls, and Dwayne Bravo, who bowled a three-run final over to deny Rajasthan a win, Imran Tahir too played his part in Chennai’s eight-run win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday,
Tahir scalped two wickets in his four overs and is now the joint-highest wickettaker along with Dwyane Bravo and Yuzvendra Chahal in the Indian T20 League 2019. (ALSO READ: Dhoni, Bravo keep Chennai’s winning streak intact despite Rajasthan’s late surge)
The Purple Cap holder said that he tried using his experience as Chennai completed a hat-trick of wins in the ongoing season of the cash-rich league.
“I am feeling very good, very proud. It was there (dew); I tried to use my experience but the ball was really wet. I am very happy,” said Tahir. (ALSO READ: As a batting unit we need to take responsibility for loss against Chennai: Ajinkya Rahane)
“It’s always nerves. First match I dropped a catch, so didn’t want to repeat the mistake. Every catch is a difficult one. It’s the passion and respect I have for the game. I don’t take anything for granted. Whenever I am playing, I try to contribute for my team,” he added.
The South African leg-spinner dismissed Rahul Tripathi after his 61-run partnership with Steve Smith and then went on to dismiss the latter as well.
Tahir also lauded skipper MS Dhoni, terming him to be “unreal”. The Chennai skipper helped the team recover from 27/3 to reach 175/5, with Dhoni remaining unbeaten.
“The way he carries himself is just unreal. He won’t say much but he knows how to lift the team up. He is a great leader and a great human being,” said Tahir.
“You know Dhoni plays really well in these situations because like (Dwayne) Bravo he’s done this so many times, and that’s why he’s called Mr Cool. He works hard on his game plan. Even in practice sessions, he helps his team-mates. And we respect that.
“I think as a bowling group we did really well. Even while batting, Mahi bhai played unbelievably well and set the tone for us. I’m just really happy with whatever we did as a team,” he told reporters after the match,” added Tahir.
Tahir, meanwhile, was not too happy with the dew that was around in the latter stages of the match and said that the bowlers will have to practice with the wet balls.
“We have to prepare ourselves, we were not expecting that much dew. We have to practice with the wet ball going forward in the games,” concluded Tahir.
